Head-on crash kills Kona woman, 30

A 30-year-old Kailua-Kona woman was killed and two other people were injured following a head-on collision between a car and SUV Thursday night on Hawaii Belt Road in Kailua-Kona, according to Hawaii island police.

The accident occurred at 9:26 p.m. near the 28.5 mile marker on Highway 190.

The victim was identified as Sarah Thurber of Kailua-Kona.

Police said Thurber was traveling north on Hawaii Belt Road in a 2007 Kia sedan when her car crossed the center line of the highway and crashed head-on with a 2016 Jeep SUV traveling south, driven by a 50-year-old California woman. The collision caused the Jeep to spin and collide with a 2016 Hyundai SUV, also traveling south, driven by a 49-year-old Nevada woman.

The driver and passenger in the Jeep were taken to Kona Community Hospital, where they both are listed in stable condition.

The driver and passenger of the Hyundai were not injured.

Thurber was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she died at 12:45 a.m. Friday.

It was not immediately known if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash to call officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646, ext. 229. The accident marks the 21st traffic fatality in Hawaii County this year, compared with 15 at this time last year.